How Much Does a Short Trip to Space Cost?
Space travel has long been a topic of fascination and excitement for many of us. With private companies like Blue Origin and Virgin Galactic leading the charge, the dream of going to space is slowly becoming a reality. But have you ever wondered how much a short trip to space costs? In this blog post, we’ll delve into the costs associated with space tourism and explore what it takes to book a seat on a space trip.
According to Blue Origin’s website, a fully refundable deposit of $150,000 (nearly ₹1.30 crore) is required to begin booking a seat on its short trips to space. This deposit is non-refundable if the customer decides to cancel their booking. However, if Blue Origin decides to cancel the trip, the deposit is fully refundable.
But what about the actual cost of the trip? On its first crewed flight in 2021, Blue Origin auctioned a seat for $28 million (over ₹240 crore), as reported by the New York Times. This is a tremendous amount of money, and it’s clear that space travel is not yet an affordable option for the average person.
Blue Origin-competitor Virgin Galactic has reportedly offered rides to space for $200,000-$450,000. This is still a significant amount of money, but it’s significantly lower than the $28 million paid by the lucky winner of Blue Origin’s auction.
So, what does this money get you? A trip to space, of course! But what exactly does that entail?
Blue Origin’s New Shepard spacecraft is designed to take passengers to an altitude of 106.9 kilometers (339,000 feet), which is considered the edge of space. The trip typically lasts around 10-15 minutes, during which time passengers will experience weightlessness and see the curvature of the Earth.
Virgin Galactic’s SpaceShipTwo, on the other hand, is designed to take passengers to an altitude of 122 kilometers (400,000 feet), which is also considered the edge of space. The trip typically lasts around 15-20 minutes, during which time passengers will experience weightlessness and see the curvature of the Earth.
Both Blue Origin and Virgin Galactic offer a range of services to make your space trip as comfortable and enjoyable as possible. These services include pre-flight training, a personalized space suit, and a post-flight celebration.
So, why do these trips cost so much? There are several reasons. One reason is the cost of developing and maintaining the spacecraft themselves. Building a spacecraft capable of taking people to space is a complex and expensive process that requires significant investment.
Another reason is the cost of ensuring the safety of the passengers. Space travel is inherently risky, and both Blue Origin and Virgin Galactic have to invest heavily in ensuring that their spacecraft are safe and reliable.
Finally, there’s the cost of the experience itself. Going to space is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and both Blue Origin and Virgin Galactic are offering a premium product that comes with a premium price tag.
In conclusion, a short trip to space can cost anywhere from $150,000 to $28 million, depending on the company and the type of experience you’re looking for. While these prices may seem prohibitively expensive to many of us, they’re a small price to pay for the chance to experience the thrill of space travel.
As space travel becomes more accessible and affordable, we can expect to see more people booking seats on space trips. And who knows? Maybe one day, space travel will be as common as air travel today.
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